Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Secretary Gassman Announces Grow Grant to Train Biotechnology Workers

May 8, 2008

Secretary Gassman awarded an Emerging Industries Skills Partnership (EISP) grant of $85,000 to the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board an $85,000 grant to train over 100 workers for timber industry jobs and position the region for production of cellulose-based ethanol from wood fiber.

During a visit to the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board’s 6th annual Business Development Conference at Lakewoods Resort in Cable, she announced the grant, which is part of Governor Doyle’s Grow Wisconsin – The Next Steps plan.

• Read the DWD press release

Read the original announcement or view previous Bio-Tech Grant Announcements

• April 8, Janesville

• April 3, Green Bay

• March 26, Racine

• March 24, La Crosse

• March 24, Boyceville

• March 18, Fox Valley

Secretary Gassman Highlights Wisconsin Covenant

May 1, 2008

Secretary Roberta Gassman met with 8th graders at Cherokee Middle School to talk to them about the importance of Governor Jim Doyle’s Wisconsin Covenant, which promises students a place in higher education, and a financial aid package based on their family’s financial need provided they work hard in high school and make the grade.

Wisconsin Covenant press release

DWD Signs Agreement with College of Menominee Nation

May 1, 2008

The Department of Workforce Development and the College of Menominee Nation (CMN) signed an agreement on Thursday, May 1, paving the way to better collaboration on provision of services to tribal members in the region.

The Native American Vocational Rehabilitation project will be funded for five years through the U.S. Department of Education. The agreement provides for collaboration, cross training, resource sharing and technical assistance among other services between CMN and the DWD Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. CMN President Verna Fowler and state Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator Charlene Dwyer signed the agreement.

Shawano Leader DWD-CMN Agreement News Story

Governor Doyle Announces W-2 Pilot Project

April 17, 2008

As part of his Grow Wisconsin - The Next Steps, Governor Jim Doyle announced today the start of the “Real Work for Real Pay” pilot project that will place W-2 participants in real jobs, where they can earn a pay check, gain work experience and develop the skills needed to remain employed and become self sufficient.

W-2 Pilot Project press release

Secretaries Gassman, Raemisch, Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board President Sykes Announce Job Training Agencies for $400,000 Milwaukee Pilot Project

April 14, 2008

Secretaries of two state agencies and the leader of the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board today announced the selection of job training agencies for a new $400,000 employment and training pilot project to prepare unemployed and under-employed individuals for demand-driven jobs in the Milwaukee area, such as in advanced manufacturing and health care.

Secretary Gassman Tours Waukesha County for “Capital Days”

April 10, 2008

Secretary Gassman toured Waukesha County April 9 -10 to meet with local citizens and local government and business leaders as part of Governor Doyle’s “Capital Days.”

Secretary Gassman joined the Governor, First Lady Jessica Doyle and members of the Cabinet for the two day swing, fanning out across the county to ensure the views of Waukesha County residents are heard in Madison. (click photos to enlarge)

Inland Graphics, Menomonee Falls – Secretary Gassman meets with officials from Inland Graphics and Youth Apprentice Kelly McGinnis (center) to discuss the company’s YA program in printing. Kelly is in her second year as a Youth Apprentice at Inland, where she learns printing, graphic design and publishing skills through a partnership with Waukesha County Technical College.	Arrowhead High School, Hartland – Secretary Gassman surveys the menu at Café Arrowhead, a student run catering business. Café Arrowhead is mainly for students with cognitive disabilities. The students plan the menu, cook the food and serve the customers at the café. To the Secretary’s right is John Hough, Special Education Teacher.
InPro, Corporation, Muskego – Governor Doyle and Secretary Gassman answer questions from manufacturing workers at InPro, one of the world’s top manufacturers of interior and exterior architectural products.	Governor Doyle speaks to workers enrolled as students in the Manufacturing Skills Standards Certification (MSSC) program, which is taught on site at InPro through Waukesha County Technical College. The courses help workers upgrade their skills, and gain MSSC certification, a passport to jobs of the future in manufacturing.
Generac Power Systems, Waukesha – Secretary Gassman meets with students enrolled in the Second Chance Youth Apprentice program at Generac. The students are gaining real work experience at Generac, a leading manufacturer of commercial generators. The Second Chance program brings credit deficient students into the work environment and allows them to complete their high school requirements at an area business, while earning wages. The program blends traditional course instruction and real work experience and has been successful in redirecting students toward more positive life choices.

Grow Wisconsin -- The Next Steps

Governor Doyle unveiled Grow Wisconsin -- The Next Steps -- in January. This package of initiatives will take our economy to the next level. These initiatives will not only accelerate Wisconsin now, but provide investments that will sustain growth for generations to come.

The Governor's plan will prepare Wisconsin's traditional industries to compete in the global economy with efficiency and innovation. It will also provide Opportunity Grants to low-income working adults not eligible for technical college financial aid, expand partnerships in workforce development, and expand successful training programs like youth and adult apprenticeship to develop a highly-skilled workforce, among many other initiatives.

• Press release announcing Grow Wisconsin -- The Next Steps

• Governor Doyle's new economic development initiative

• Governor's State of the State Address

Jobs for the Future

"Jobs of the Future" is Governor Doyle's major job creation initiative that will build partnerships between businesses and schools so that Wisconsin youth and workers are trained for the high-tech job market.
 learn more about Jobs of the Future